Octave Bruso Diary: Week of July 3, 1864

Note: This is one week’s worth of diary entries of Octave Bruso, who participated in the Siege of Petersburg as a member of the 50th New York Engineers.¹

Sunday July 3, 1864

Very Pleasent. Left camp at 3 A.M. for the front line of Works. Wrote to Wm F. King. Went to Camp at night for rations.

Monday July 4, 1864

Beautiful Cool day. Wrote a letter to my wife. Very long and lonesome day. Recieved a letter and paper from Henry Inman.

Tuesday July 5, 1864

Very Pleasent day. Wrote to Henry Inman. Went to camp at 1 P.M. All of my Tools in at night.

Wednesday July 6, 1864

Pleasent and Windy. Very unwell all the afternoon. Went to camp at 7 P.M. Recieved my Envelopes from Philips + Solomons (Editor: Philp & Solomons stationery?)

Thursday July 7, 1864

Pleasent + Windy. Left Camp for the line of works at 7 A.M. Wrote to Shellington for paper and Envelopes. Sent $5.00. Went to Camp at 6 P.M.

Friday July 8, 1864

Rain (Fine ?) Day + Windy. Ordered on the line again and left camp at 4 A.M. Came back to camp at 2 P.M.

Saturday July 9, 1864

Fine (?) day. Recieved 2 letters from my Wife with Silk + Comb. Wrote to my Wife. In camp all day. Ordered to report at the Jone’s House at 8 1/2 P.M. Came back at 10 P.M. The 6th Corps ordered out and left for City Point during the night.

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